New Year's Resolutions

Each year a huge number of people set for themselves New Year's Resolutions. Even though most of them fail to complete their resolutions, people still continue to do so. Is it that magical date, the beginning of something new that makes people believe that they are in power of changing their life? Or is it just the social pressure?

In my opinion, it's more of a habit, or maybe some form of tradition that many tend to uphold. In general, I'm rather keen on setting goals for us and working on bad habits. But unfortunately, not many seem to treat their resolutions seriously. So what's the point of fooling yourself?

The most popular resolutions are:
- to quit smoking,
- to lose weigh,
- to drink less alcohol,
- to eat healthier,
- to travel more,
- to read more,
- to start going to the gym,
- to dedicate more time to the family.

That may look impressive, but there is only small percentage of people who will actually achieve their New Year's resolutions. I believe that it happens because we lack of constant reminder. We make them at the beginning of January, and then most of us, don't really commit to them, and as a result, forget about them until December! So maybe the good solution would be not making a long lists of resolutions, but to focus on one thing and really work on that? Anyway, to everyone who made some resolutions for 2015 I wish a strong will and good luck!

Papusza

I recently watched a very good polish movie entitled "Papusza" made by Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzysztof Krauze.  It is based on actual events. Bronisława Wajs, called in everyday life

Papusza, was the first gypsy poet ever translated into polish. It's not only showing her life but also a very difficult times after the II world war. 

I believe it is right to say that in those times and in her reality she might be considered as an emancipated woman. She was one of a few gypsies who knew how to read. She was also open-minded, she was looking forward and didn't have any doubts that the nomadic lifestyle of gypsies has to stop. 

A very important figure for the plot is Jerzy Ficowski, who was forced to join gypsies in their travelling due to the political situation in Poland. He was the first person who noticed talent of Papusza. He translated her poems into polish and helped to publish them.

For me, this movie was not only interesting because it is a portrait of a great poet, but also because it shows the reality and everyday life of gypsies during the first 20 years after II world war, while they were still allowed to lead nomadic lifestyle. 

It is also impossibile to mention the visual beauty of the movie. The cinematographers did very good job. It is a real pleasure to watch a film so beautifully made.

Visiting Sicily

As I mantioned in my first post, I found Sicily a magical place, full of interesting places worth seeing.  

1) Cefalu - it takes just an 1,5 hour to get there by train from Palermo. It's a small town, but it is one of the major tourist attractions in the region. Each year it attracts turists mostly with its beautiful architecture and magnificent gulf.

2) Agrigento - a birth-place of great italian writer Luigi Pirandello. But it is also a place where we can find ancient ruins of Temples.

3) Corleone - not particulary special, but a must-see for fans of "The Godfather" trilogy. There is also a mafia museum, that shows how huge problem it has been and still is.

4)  Syracuse - a historic city, known for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the mathematician and engineer Archimedes

5) Scala dei Turchi "Stair of the Turks"- is a cliff near Porto Empedocle. It is a tourist attraction thanks to its unusual white color,

"Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy"

"Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy" is one of the most intriguing books I've read recently.

In 1964, so just a few months after the assassination of President J.F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline sat with historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and talked to him about her life. Those recorded conversations were kept secret for almost 50 years, as she wished. In 2011 Caroline Kennedy decided it was a proper time  to pubblish them.

This book is a great source of information about JFK. She mainly focus on their private life in White House. But while talking about their everyday life she mentions quite often some important historical facts.  She talks for example about the Cuban missle crissis or the cold war, which makes this book also an interesting description of those turbulent period of time. And what is more, there are shown from a very specific point of view. 

Another reason to read this book are anecdotes about well-known figures like Charles de Gaulle, Martin Luther King or Nikita Chruszczow. She also recounts her fears and challenges she had to meet while being the First Lady. It seems very personal, her opinions are honest, sometimes harsh. That's  probably one of the reasons why it was pubblished not until almost 20 years after her death.

In my opinion, this book will be a good read to not only anyone interested in history but also in politics. 

Off Cinema Festival

Yesterday I had an opportunity to see "Melody of the World" during the opening gala of the 18. International Documentary Film Festival "Off Cinema".  As the name of the festival suggests, it was a documentary movie from 1929 directed by Walther Ruttmann. The screening was accompanied by live orchestral music, which created a special atmosphere and made this whole experience even more magical.

"Melody of the World" was kind of diferent from what we nowadays consider a documentary. That film was divided into 3 acts. The main character was a young German sailor, who is going on the cruise. There wasn't any plot actually, it was more like a mix of pictures and short clips from his travel. It showed everyday situations from all different parts of the world, for example from England, India, Africa, Asia, presenting similarities and differences. And surprisingly, there were more similiarities! It was really interesting, because it proved that even though we are defined by cultures,  religions, habits ecc. in the end, we are actually all the same.

What really moved me was the fact, that this movie showed a world that doesn't exists anymore. I can assume that almost very person who appeared on the screen is dead right now. City streets of London or Beijing looks completely different nowadays. It was so amazing to be able to see all those old cars running down the Tower Bridge or the clothes that people were wearing then and just to see how much the world has changed. I have to admit that all those things combined with this november, cold evening gave me some nostalgic feelings and thoughts about the passing time. Anyways, I really enjoyed that screening.

Erasmus experience

Today I would like to talk about my experience with Erasmus. It's a programme of student exchange around the Europe. And for me, it was the time of my life. There were honestly the best 6 months of my life. I don't know if it is like that for everybody, but for me a chance to spend half of a year in my beloved Sicily was like a dream come true. 

In my opinion Sicily is the most beautiful region of Italy. I adore almost everything about it: architecture, food, wheather, landscapes, culture, literature, movies and obviously people, who are tremendously open and welcoming, always willing to help. The only 2 things which I dislike are the total lack of organisation and the dirt on the streets. And as long as I could get used to this complete disorganisation, I would never accept carelessness about ecology.

But coming back to the main topic, during this exchange you get to really know other culture and habits of citizens. It's also a good chance to see what it is like to study on foreign university. And of course you can really enjoy the Erasmus student status. At least once a week there were organised special parties for all of us, thanks to the ETU group. They also provided tutors for us, who helped us with accommodation and knowing the city. They often organised trips and other special events. People from ETU truly made this experience even more extraordinary.

I recommend this programme to everyone. I truly believe that everyone should spend at least one semester  abroad. It's not just enjoyable experience but also a true school of life. Because after all you end up living completely alone in other country. That really teaches you independence and responsability. It's just a good chance to prove yourself in other reality.

Places worth visiting in Palermo

I personally believe that Palermo is one of the most magical places on earth. Mostly because of the astonishing architecture that reflects perfectly the turbulent history of the whole Sicily. It is placed on the edge of the island, so of course an access to the sea is quite easy. It is also surrounded by the mountains, almost from every place in the city it is possibile to see them. So from one side there is that beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and from the other - mountains. A scenery that might be typical for an island, but it's very certainly uncommom for me. Here's a short list of the must-see places in Palermo:

1) The cathedral of Palermo

2) Palace of the Normans

3) The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo

4) Teatro Massimo

5) Quattro Canti

6) Giardino Inglese

7) The cathedral of Monreale (about 8km from Palermo)

8) Mondello beach

9) Monte Pellegrino

From which we have an incredible view on Palermo.